Remote closing power load pickup device

ABSTRACT

A fused, remote closing power load pickup device for electrically interconnecting an overhead power line with electrical apparatus, wherein is included a switch member movable toward and away from a latching contact therefor with a lever and a lanyard being operably connected to the switching member so that it may be safely shifted from open disposition to its closed position in latched relationship with the contact therefor from a remote location.

United States Patent [191 [111 3,810,60 Hubbard 51 May 7, 1974 [5 REMOTECLOSING POWER LOAD PICKUP 2,637,795 5/1953 Hubbard 200/146 R DEVICE2,843,704 7/1958 Wood 337/156 X Inventor: David G. Hubbard, Centralia,Mo.

Assignee: A. B. Chance Company, Centralia,

Filed: Mar. 30, 1973 Appl. No.: 346,590

U.S. C1.... 337/l55, 337/156, 337/157,

Int. Cl. H0lh 73/22 Field of Search 337/155, 156, 157, 171, 337/175,176, 178, 179; 200/146 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Lincks337/156 3/1953 Meisenheimer et al. 337/157 Primary Examiner-Bernard A.Gilheany Assistant Examiner-Fred E. Bell Attorney, Agent, orFirm-Schmidt, Johnson, Hovey & Williams 5 7] ABSTRACT A fused, remoteclosing power load pickup device for electrically interconnecting anoverhead power line with electrical apparatus, wherein is included aswitch member movable toward and away from a latching contact thereforwith a lever and a lanyard being operably connected to the switchingmember so that it may be safely shifted from open disposition to itsclosed position in latched relationship with the contact therefor from aremote location.

12 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEDIAY 71974 I v 3.810 060 SNEEI20F3PATENTEDMAY 1 1914 SNEEI 3 BF 3 Fig. 8.

REMOTE CLOSING POWER LOAD PICKUP DEVICE This invention relates to powerload pickup or linetapping switch devices for use in connectingelectrical apparatus to an overhead power line.

Devices of the type referred to are disclosed in United States LettersPat. Nos. 2,025,321 and 2,637,795. As is fully shown and described inthese patents, a pivotal switch member is adapted to be latched in placeagainst a contact therefor. A fusible element carried by the switchmember is operably associated with mechanism supporting the member sothat upon melting of the fusible element under a fault current, theswitch member drops away from the latching contact to open the circuit.Normally, the swingable switch member of these devices is shifted to aclosed position to electrically interconnect apparatus such as anelectrical transformer with the power line, by use of an insulativestick tool or the like requiring that the workman be quite close to thepower load pickup when the switch member is closed against the latchingcontact assembly. Such devices find particular utility in energizingtransformers and the like subsequent to repair and replacement Work. lfthe switch member of the device is closed against a fault current,destruction of the transformer can occur, resulting in severe injury tothe workman by showering him with hot oil from the transformer or sharpsplinters from destroyed ceramic insulators, due to his close proximityto the electrical apparatus being energized. Another problem associatedwith such power load pickup devices is their tendency to oscillate orpinwheel about the overhead conductor when the switch member is shiftedto a closed position or upon destruction of the fusible elementtherewithin as a result of fault current.

Accordingly, it is the most important object of the present invention toprovide a power load pickup device wherein the switch member thereof maybe closed from a remote location so as to prevent injury to the workman.

An important object of the invention is to provide a power load pickupof the class described wherein a line clamp electrically connects thepickup to the overhead power line, and at the same time fastens thedevice in depending relationship from the line in such a manner that thedevice may be used anywhere necessary without requiring additionalmechanical support therefor.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide such a power loadpickup and accompanying clamp which are configured. and relativelyarranged to maintain stability during closing as well as during faultcurrent interruption, to thereby prevent oscillation or pinwheeling" ofthe device relative to the overhead line. A corollary to this objectiveis to prevent oscillation by configuring the device such that therotating member thereof swings about an axis that extends generallyperpendicularly to the overhead line.

Another object of the invention is to provide a power load pickup asdescribed in the preceding objects wherein the switch member embodies afuse holder and an internal, fusible element as the conductive, rotativemember of the power load pickup in order to provide additional workmansafety while at the same time precluding the necessity of using anadditional fusible element in conjunction with the device A moreparticular object of the invention is to provide a remote closing deviceas in the preceding object wherein a lever arm extends radiallyoutwardly from the pivot on which the swingable switch member of thedevice rotates, and a lanyard secured to the lever at such a locationthat downward pulling of the lanyard from a remote location causesswinging of the conductive member to a closed position wherein the powerload pickup device electrically interconnects the overhead power lineand the electrical apparatus to be energized, thereby providing aneconomical, simple arrangement allowing remote closing of the device butwherein sufficient leverage is provided for reliable, positive closingand latching interengagement of the electrical contacts of the device. Acorollary to this object is the way in which the lanyard and lever armsare strategically located so that there is substantial leverage whenpulling the lanyard downwardly as the rotating member is nearing itsclosed position to assure reliable, positive closing of the device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a remote closing switchdevice wherein the lever arm is located and configured in a mannerpermitting use thereof with a dropout type remote closing device havingtoggle linkage at the lower end thereof causing the fused, conductiveelement to swing to an openindicating position whenever fault current isinterrupted, the lever arm being positioned such that it does notinterfere with the automatic opening feature provided by such togglelinkage.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a fused, power loadpickup device wherein the top end of the fuse holder is frangible sothat upon fault current interruption exhaust gases are emitted from thetop and bottom ends of the fuse holder to maintain stability of thepower load pickup device by preventing translation of reaction forcesfrom the exhausting gas to the device that would otherwise createoscillation of the device relative to the overhead line. A corollary ofthis object is to relatively position the fuse holder on the overheadpower line so that the exhaust gas discharged from the upper end of thefuse is not aligned with the overhead conductor line to precludeformation of a highly dangerous conductive path from the power line tosurrounding structure.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a remote closing,fused, power load pickup device that may be economically manufacturedutilizing presently available components of conventional fuse cutouts.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention arespecifically set forth in or will become apparent from the followingdetailed description of a preferred form of the invention when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

H0. 1 is an elevational view of a remote closing power load pickupdevice as contemplated by the present invention and shown in its closedposition and interconnected with an overhead power line;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the device;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, elevational view of the lower end of the deviceillustrated in FlG. 1 and showing same in the process of dropping out toits open position in response to destruction of the fusible element inthe swingable switch member thereof;

FIG. 5 is a transverse, cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 ofFIG. 1;

'FIG. is an enlarged, fragmentary, partially cross sectional elevationalview of the lower end of the device when the switch member is disposedin the open position thereof;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the remote closing power load pickupdevice installed on an overhead power line in readiness to be closedfrom a remote location such as the ground.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the remote closing power load pickupdevice in conjunction with a permanently fused protective device; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the remote closing power load pickupdevice in conjunction with a selfprotected transformer and a safety'fusehanger.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is illustrated aremote closing power load pickup device. generally designated by thenumeral 10 which includes an elongated, vertically arranged support 12,and an elongated, vertically arranged conductive switch member 14laterally spaced to one side of support 12. The device also includes ahot line clamp 16 which fastens support 12 in depending relationshipfrom an overhead power line electrical conductor 18. Device 10 isoperable to interconnect overhead power line 18 with electricalapparatus such as a high voltage transformer 20 (FIG. 7) forenergization thereof.

Support 12 includes an electrically insulative body 22 havingelectrically conductive terminal structures 24 and 26 secured to upperand lower ends thereof. Hot line clamp 16 includes a stationary upperjaw28 affixed to upper terminal structure 24, and a movable lower jaw 30which may be advanced toward and away from the upper jaw 28 by virtue ofeye screw 32 to firmly grip power line 18.

While the present invention is concerned primarily with providing aremote closingpower pickup device adapted to be directly affixed to anoverhead power line by way of clamp 16, it is not so limited. Forexample, if it is desired to secure the device to another form of propsuch as a line support 19 (see FIG. 7), this can be done by providingmeans connected to the device which accomplishes this purpose andpositions the device in any desired relationship relative to theoverhead power line 18. In such a case an electrical connection meanswould also be provided to electrically connect the contact on thesupport with the overhead power line.

The conductive switch member 14 illustrated includes a hollow fuseholder 34 having a headed meltable fuse link 36 therewithin having atail which protrudes out of the open lower end of the fuse holder 34.The head portion of link 36 is electrically interconnected to an outer,electrically conductive ferrule 38 at the upper end of fuse holder 34.Another ferrule 40 is secured around the outside of the lower end of thefuse holder 34. The upper end of fuse holder 34 may be closed by afrangible disc 42, and projecting laterally from upper ferrule 38 is afixed contact in the form of an extension 44.

Upper terminal mounting structure 24 of support 12 carries a deflectablespring contact 46 located to engage extension 44 as well as a springmetal latch having a hook portion which releasably engages a lip 47therefor on contact 44 at the upper end of conductive member 14.

The terminal structure 26 at the lower end of support 12 connects withlower ferrule 40 of conductive member 14 by pivot means in the form oftoggle linkage generally referred to by the numeral 48. Toggle linkage48 includes a rotary contact section 50 having trunnions 52 extendingtransversely to be received in aligned openings 54 in laterallyextending arms 56 of lower terminal structure 26. Lower ferrule 40 ispivotally interconnected with rotary contact section 50 at pivot 58,with a spring 60 biasing the ferrule and contact section 50 in oppositedirections. Rotary contact section 50 also carries a spring-loaded,rotary fuse link ejector 62. The lower end of fuse link 36 is secured tocontact section 50 by tightening of knurled nut 64 on stud 65 carried bycontact member 50. Link 36 engages ejector 62 so that when pulled taut,link 36 forces ejector 62 into a cocked position as illustrated in FIG.6. Rotary contact section 50 has a contact face 66 thereon which isengageable with a strap-like metallic contact 68 secured to lowerterminal structure 26 on the insulative support 12. The toggle linkage48 thus far described is generally of the type more completely describedin US. Pats. Nos. 3,026,39l and 3,6l4,700 to which reference may be madefor a more full description of the structure and operation thereofthough not necessary to a full understanding of the present invention.

Also carried by rotary contact section 50 and thereby operably securedto the lower ferrule 40 of the fuse holder, is a lever arm 70 which isattached to contact section 50 by means of rivets 87. Lever arm 70includes an offset stretch 72 and a radially extending stretch 74 thatextends generally oppositely from conductive member 14. Such arrangementoflever arm 70 locates the same closely adjacent the trunnions 52 uponwhich the toggle linkage 48 rotates, while at the same timemaintaininglever 70 in spaced relationship to ejector 62 and link 36 toallow free movement thereof. Looped through and secured to an outer endof lever arm 70 is an actuating lanyard 76 of a length such that whendevice 10 is mounted on an overhead line, the lanyard extends downwardlytherefrom to ground level as illustrated in FIG. 7. This arrangement oflever arm 70 upon toggle. linkage 48, as well as thepoint of securementof lanyard 76to the lever arm, allows the lanyard to be pulleddownwardly to cause rotation of toggle linkage 48 and conductive member14 in a clockwise direction about trunnions 52 as viewed in FIG. 6.

Lower terminal structure 26 on support 12 also has a lateral stretch 78integral therewith in electrical contact with the contact 68, and anelectrical terminal 80 is secured to stretch 78. Stretch 78 also carriesa transversely extending parking stud 82 as can best be seen in FIG. 2.Parking stud 82 presents a transversely offset section adapted toreceive a second hot line clamp 84 of configuration similar to the hotline clamp 16. Line clamp 84 is adapted to be connected to an electricalconductor or other conductive structure to be energized as, for example,electrical transformer 20 as shown in FIG. 7, through the medium of anelectrical conductor 86 extending from clamp 84 to terminal 80 at thelower end of the insulative support 12.

In use, the remote closing power load pickup device 10 is moved towardthe working station on a conductor with the member 14 in its openposition as'illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 whereby the upper contacts 44and 46 on the member and the support are disengaged and the member 14extends generally at right angles to the vertical support 12. Also, whenraising the device to its operating position, the second line clamp 84is preferably carried on parking stud 82 so that the device may beconveniently moved as a compact unit. Before lifting the device 10 to alocation adjacent the overhead power line 18, if not already fused, thefuse link 36 is inserted and pulled taut around toggle linkage 48 toplace ejector 62 in its cocked position. The fuse link end 36 is securedunder knurled nut 64. By manipulation ofa conventional hot line sticktool the upper line clamp 16 may be secured to the overhead power line18 by rotation of eye screw 32 so that the support 12 and entire device10 is fastened in depending relationship from the overhead power line.In this connection, line clamp 16 is of overall, rigid construction sothat no further mechanical support is required in mounting the device onthe overhead power line. The opposite end of the other line clamp 84 isthen secured to the proper terminal lead conductor to the transformer 20again by use of conventional hot line tools so that the device is inreadiness to be closed to energize transformer 20.

Upon completing the above preliminary steps, the workman descends fromthe power line pole or shifts the aerial support bucket away from theswitch device to a remote location as, for example, shown in FIG. 7, bypulling lanyard 76 (which is preferably strung in conjunction with aconventional pulley 75 as shown), conductive member 14 rotates on theaxis of trunnions 52 and shifts to its closed position wherein the lowercontacts 66 and 68 are in electrical contact and the upper contacts 44and 46 are in latching interengagement. If the pickup device 10 closesagainst a fault current capable of destroying transformer 20notwithstanding ultimate reopening of switch 10, the workman is at asafe, remote location to prevent injury.

Upon closing of the device 10 against a fault current, a part of thefusible element is melted, resulting in severing of fuse link 36. As aresult, ejector 62 is released to whip fuse link 36 downwardly out ofthe way. At the same time, underset toggle linkage 48 collapses, causingcontact section 50 to rotate in a clockwise direction as illustrated inFIG. 4, and the lower contact ferrule 40 to rotate relatively oppositelythereto about pivot 58. The entire conductive member 14 accordinglydrops downwardly to release its upper contact 44 from latchinginterengagement with contact 46 to the relative position of the elementsas illustrated in FIG. 4. Subsequently, conductive member 14 rotatesabout pivot 58 outwardly to its open-indicating position as illustratedin FIG. 7.

In many operations prior to installing the load pickup device 10 on thepower line 18, a permanently fused protective device 89 is fused andleft in open (disengaged) position. The load pickup device is theninstalled as described above and the clamp 84 isthereafter attached tothe lead from the cutout 89 (see FIGS. 7 and 8 where this embodiment isshown). After the device 10 is closed with the lanyard, the linemanclimbs the pole and swings the cutout fuse holder closed, using hisswitch stick or similar device, thereby completing the circuit throughthis path paralleling the load pickup device. The clamp 84 is thendisengaged from the cutout lead and returned to the parking stud 82 andthe device 10 is removed from the line using conventional hot-linetools.

In FIG. 9, a self-protected transformer is employed without using thecutout 89. In this instance the perma-.

nent transformer lead is temporarily supported by a stud at the lowerend of an insulating member (such as a safety fuse hanger 91)isolatingthe transformer lead from the line 18.

The device 10 is now installed and operated as previously described. Ifthere is no fault and the fuse in the load pickup device 10 holds, thelineman climbs the structure and, using conventional hot-line tools,removes the clamp 86a attached to the permanent lead 86 from the stud 92and engages the line 18, thus paralleling the load pickup device 10.Following the procedure described for FIG. 1, the clamp 84 is removedfrom the lead 86 and secured to the parking stud 82, and the device 10is removed from the line.

Preferably, the upper hot-line clamp 16 is configured and arrangedrelative to support 12 so that the plane of device 10 is generallyaligned with the length of the conductor 18 but slightly offsettherefrom as best shown in FIG. 3. In particular, the conductive member14 and support 12 which have longitudinal axes lying in a common,generally vertical plane, are fastened to the overhead power line sothat this vertical plane is at a slight acute angle relative to thehorizontally extending length of overhead power line 18. Upon severingof the fuse link 36 by interruption of a fault current, the exhaustgases generated inside conductive member 14 are discharged through theopen lower end as well as through the upper end of the fuse holder uponrupture of frangible disc 42. The location of the fuse holder in a planeonly slightly removed from parallelism with the longitudinal axis of theconductor prevents transmission of gas discharge reactionary forces tothe device 10 in directions which would tend to cause oscillation orpinwheeling of the device about overhead power line 18. The slightlyoffset relationship of the upper end of conductive member 14 relative tothe overhead power line assures that the gases exhausting throughdoesnot interfere with the automatic opening induced by the toggle linkage48 upon interruption of a fault current. Lever arm is also arranged soas to place a minimum amount of strain upon fuse link 36 to preventearly breakage thereof as the conductive member is being shifted to itsclosed position by downward pulling upon lanyard 76. Furthermore, thelocation of lanyard 76 at the end of stretch 74 which extends generallyradially oppositely from conductive member 14 assures that maximumleverage is retained during rotation of member 14 to its closedposition, as such closed posi tion is neared. This arrangement assuresfirm, positive closing of the device.

Preferably, the outer ends of trunnions 52 are threaded to receive nuts53 which cooperate with the arms 56 on the lower terminal structure 26and interlock with the encircling ridge 88 to properly hold togglelinkage 48 and the rotating, conductive member 14 in proper alignmentrelative to the lower end of support 12 and prevent inadvertentdisengagement of the trunnions 52. Accordingly, as member 14 is rotatedfrom its open to its closed position, the movable contact 44 on theupper end thereof remains in alignment with the fixed contact 46 toassure proper interengagement 7 thereof when the closed position isreached. The conductive member 14 and contact section 50 may be easilyinserted and removed from support 12 by simply backing off the nuts 53and inserting or removing the trunnions 52 through the open-sidedopenings 54. The offset stretch 72 of lever arm 70 facilitates easyreplacement of the fusible element and fuse link 36 into fuse holder 34as stretch 72 is displaced from the open, lower end of fuse holder 34.

As indicated above, toggle linkage 48 is arranged such that member 14rotates about an axis defined by trunnions 52 and thereby extendsgenerally transversely to the overhead power line 18 to assure minimumoscillation and pinwheeling thereof upon closing of the device. Tofurther minimize sway of device about the overhead power line 18,hot-line clamp 16 is located such that it is in general verticalalignment with the center of gravity of support 12. Accordingly, therelative structural arrangement of device 10 (in cluding the positioningof hot-line clamp 16 at angle relative to overhead power line 18 andabove the center of gravity of support 12, the arrangement andconfiguration of lever arm 70 upon the lower toggle linkage 48, thelocation of the point of securement of lanyard 76 to lever 70, and thetransversely extending rotary axis defined by trunnions 52)produces'positive and correct closing of the device when actuated from aremote location at ground level by pulling upon lanyard 76, as well asminimum movement ofthe same if the device is closed into a faultcurrent.

Having thus described the invention, what-is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A remote closing power load pickup device adapted when closed toelectrically interconnect an overhead power load line with otherelectrically conductive structure, said device comprising:

an elongated, insulative support;

an elongated, conductive member generally laterally spaced from saidsupport;

means pivotally interconnecting lower ends of said support and saidmember to allow rotation of the latter;

interengageable electrical contacts on said support and said memberspaced from said lower ends thereof, said member being rotatable from anopen position wherein said contacts are disengaged to a closed positionwith said contacts in latching interengagement;

clamp means secured to said support and adapted to electrically connectsaid contact on the support with the overhead power line and to fastensaid support in depending relationship from the over head power line ata location above the ground; means electrically connected to said lowerend of the member and adapted to be connected with said otherelectrically conductive structure whereby rotation of the member to saidclosed position thereof closes the device to electrically interconnectthe overhead power line and said structure; a lever secured to saidmember adjacent said lower end thereof and extending radially outwardlyfrom said pivot means; and

an actuating lanyard secured to said lever at a point radially spacedfrom said pivot means whereby downward displacement of the lanyardrotates said member from said open position to said closed positionthereof to close the device without inducing substantial oscillationthereof relative to the overhead power line, said lanyard extending awayfrom the member to an extent to allow closing of the device from aremote location.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said lever extends radiallyoutwardly from said pivot means generally oppositely from said member.

3. A device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said clamp means includes arigid line clamp secured to an upper end of the support in electricalconnection with said contact on the support, said clamp being configuredto grip the overhead power line to electrically connect same with saidcontact on the support and to fasten said device in dependingrelationship from the overhead power line.

4. A device as set forth in claim 3, wherein said member comprises afuse holder and a severable, conductive, current responsive fuse carriedtherewithin.

5. A device as set forth in claim 4, wherein said pivot means includestoggle linkage connected with said support and said fuse holder andoperably connected with said fuse to urge said fuse holder to drop outtosaid open position thereof in response to destruction of said fuse, sadlever being configured and disposed in noninterfering relationship tosaid toggle linkage allowing free movement of said fuse holder uponsevering of the fuse.

6. A device as set forth in claim 5, wherein both ends of said fuseholder are constructed for discharge of an arc induced gas therethroughwhereby gases generated inside said fuse holder upon severing of saidfuse are exhausted through both said upper and lower ends of the fuseholder to restrain said device against oscillation relative to theoverhead power line.

7. A device as set forth in claim 6, wherein said support and-saidmember are arranged with longitudinal axes thereof lying in a common,generally vertical plane, said clamp locating the device with saidvertical plane disposed at a slight acute angle relative to the overheadline whereby said upper end of the member is transversely offset to oneside of the overhead power line.

8. A device as set forth in claim 3, wherein said line clamp is disposedin'generally vertical alignment with the center of gravity of saidsupport to provide stability for the device when depending from theoverhead power line.

9. A device as set forth in claim 3, wherein said member and saidsupport are arranged with longitudinal axes thereof lying in a common,generally vertical plane, said pivot means being configured and arrangedwhereby said member and said lever rotate about an axis extendinggenerally transversely to said vertical plane and at an angle relativeto the overhead power line to restrain the device against oscillationrelative to the overhead power line upon closing of the device.

10. A device as set forth in claim 9, wherein said pivot means includesa bracket secured to said lower end of the support having a transverseopening therein, and a trunnion operably secured to said lower end ofthe member and received in said opening for rotation about said axisextending generally transversely to said vertical plane.

11. A device as set forth in claim 3, wherein is provided" secondelectrical contacts adjacent said lower ends of the member and thesupport which are in electrical contact when said member is in saidclosed position, said conductor having one end connected with saidsecond contact at the lower end of the support.

12. A remote closing power load pickup device adapted when closed toelectrically interconnect an overhead power load line with otherelectrically conductive structure, said device comprising:

an elongated, insulative support; an elongated, conductive membergenerally laterally spaced from said support; means pivotallyinterconnecting lower ends of said support and said member to allowrotation of the latter; interengageable electrical contacts on saidsupport and said member spaced from said lower ends thereof, said memberbeing rotatable from an open position wherein said contacts aredisengaged to a closed position with said contacts in latchinginterengagement; means secured to said device and adapted to fasten saidsupport to prop means in a desired relationship relative to the overheadpower line;

electrical connection means secured to said support adapted toelectrically connect said contact on the support with the overhead powerline;

means electrically connected to said lower end of the member and adaptedto be connected with said other electrically conductive structurewhereby rotation of the member to said closed position thereof closesthe device to electrically interconnect the overhead power line and saidstructure;

a lever secured to said member adjacent said lower end thereof andextending radially outwardly from said pivot means; and

an actuating lanyard secured to said lever at a point radially spacedfrom said pivot means whereby downward displacement of the lanyardrotates said member from said open position to said closed positionthereof to close the device without inducing substantial oscillationthereof relative to the overhead power line, said lanyard extending awayfrom the member to an extent to allow closing of the device from aremote location.

1. A remote closing power load pickup device adapted when closed toelectrically interconnect an overhead power load line with otherelectrically conductive structure, said device comprising: an elongated,insulative support; an elongated, conductive member generally laterallyspaced from said support; means pivotally interconnecting lower ends ofsaid support and said member to allow rotation of the latter;interengageable electrical contacts on said support and said memberspaced from said lower ends thereof, said member being rotatable from anopen position wherein said cOntacts are disengaged to a closed positionwith said contacts in latching interengagement; clamp means secured tosaid support and adapted to electrically connect said contact on thesupport with the overhead power line and to fasten said support independing relationship from the overhead power line at a location abovethe ground; means electrically connected to said lower end of the memberand adapted to be connected with said other electrically conductivestructure whereby rotation of the member to said closed position thereofcloses the device to electrically interconnect the overhead power lineand said structure; a lever secured to said member adjacent said lowerend thereof and extending radially outwardly from said pivot means; andan actuating lanyard secured to said lever at a point radially spacedfrom said pivot means whereby downward displacement of the lanyardrotates said member from said open position to said closed positionthereof to close the device without inducing substantial oscillationthereof relative to the overhead power line, said lanyard extending awayfrom the member to an extent to allow closing of the device from aremote location.
 2. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said leverextends radially outwardly from said pivot means generally oppositelyfrom said member.
 3. A device as set forth in claim 2, wherein saidclamp means includes a rigid line clamp secured to an upper end of thesupport in electrical connection with said contact on the support, saidclamp being configured to grip the overhead power line to electricallyconnect same with said contact on the support and to fasten said devicein depending relationship from the overhead power line.
 4. A device asset forth in claim 3, wherein said member comprises a fuse holder and aseverable, conductive, current responsive fuse carried therewithin.
 5. Adevice as set forth in claim 4, wherein said pivot means includes togglelinkage connected with said support and said fuse holder and operablyconnected with said fuse to urge said fuse holder to drop out to saidopen position thereof in response to destruction of said fuse, sad leverbeing configured and disposed in noninterfering relationship to saidtoggle linkage allowing free movement of said fuse holder upon severingof the fuse.
 6. A device as set forth in claim 5, wherein both ends ofsaid fuse holder are constructed for discharge of an arc induced gastherethrough whereby gases generated inside said fuse holder uponsevering of said fuse are exhausted through both said upper and lowerends of the fuse holder to restrain said device against oscillationrelative to the overhead power line.
 7. A device as set forth in claim6, wherein said support and said member are arranged with longitudinalaxes thereof lying in a common, generally vertical plane, said clamplocating the device with said vertical plane disposed at a slight acuteangle relative to the overhead line whereby said upper end of the memberis transversely offset to one side of the overhead power line.
 8. Adevice as set forth in claim 3, wherein said line clamp is disposed ingenerally vertical alignment with the center of gravity of said supportto provide stability for the device when depending from the overheadpower line.
 9. A device as set forth in claim 3, wherein said member andsaid support are arranged with longitudinal axes thereof lying in acommon, generally vertical plane, said pivot means being configured andarranged whereby said member and said lever rotate about an axisextending generally transversely to said vertical plane and at an anglerelative to the overhead power line to restrain the device againstoscillation relative to the overhead power line upon closing of thedevice.
 10. A device as set forth in claim 9, wherein said pivot meansincludes a bracket secured to said lower end of the support having atransverse opening therein, and a trunnion operably secured to saidlower end of the member And received in said opening for rotation aboutsaid axis extending generally transversely to said vertical plane.
 11. Adevice as set forth in claim 3, wherein is provided second electricalcontacts adjacent said lower ends of the member and the support whichare in electrical contact when said member is in said closed position,said conductor having one end connected with said second contact at thelower end of the support.
 12. A remote closing power load pickup deviceadapted when closed to electrically interconnect an overhead power loadline with other electrically conductive structure, said devicecomprising: an elongated, insulative support; an elongated, conductivemember generally laterally spaced from said support; means pivotallyinterconnecting lower ends of said support and said member to allowrotation of the latter; interengageable electrical contacts on saidsupport and said member spaced from said lower ends thereof, said memberbeing rotatable from an open position wherein said contacts aredisengaged to a closed position with said contacts in latchinginterengagement; means secured to said device and adapted to fasten saidsupport to prop means in a desired relationship relative to the overheadpower line; electrical connection means secured to said support adaptedto electrically connect said contact on the support with the overheadpower line; means electrically connected to said lower end of the memberand adapted to be connected with said other electrically conductivestructure whereby rotation of the member to said closed position thereofcloses the device to electrically interconnect the overhead power lineand said structure; a lever secured to said member adjacent said lowerend thereof and extending radially outwardly from said pivot means; andan actuating lanyard secured to said lever at a point radially spacedfrom said pivot means whereby downward displacement of the lanyardrotates said member from said open position to said closed positionthereof to close the device without inducing substantial oscillationthereof relative to the overhead power line, said lanyard extending awayfrom the member to an extent to allow closing of the device from aremote location.